threatened while riding today

[stacie]

I was heading home from a short ride today when I had a very unpleasant experience. I was heading through a nice neighborhood that is fortunately populated with restaurants and shops less than a block away. Three men on bikes crossed the grass median and headed to my lane. They were yelling and heading towards me. I crossed to the left lane and they continued to head toward me. I had no choice but to slow down. I spotted an opening big enough for me to escape and headed through it. I knew there was no catching me as they were on mountain bikes or something similar. I had never considered anything like this happening before. Had they been organized and intended to hurt me, I didn't have much of a defense. Fortunately, they were punks just trying to scare me. I thought it was worth sharing.
I"m mostly angry that they have introduced this threat to my peacefulness of riding. I ride alone ALOT and am often in an isolated place. I've never been afraid. Now this "what if" is in my head.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{Stacie}}}}}}}}}

Not much I can do but offer you a hug and let you know that I understand, having moved from a confrontational cycling community to my new home last year. It sucks to have other people get in the way of your exercise and alone time!

Hugs and protective butterflies,
~T~

[SalsaMTB]

Awww...sorry to hear about that! I've never experienced anything like that. Hopefully it's an isolated thing. Can you change your route a little to avoid the area?

[limewave]

I'm so glad you are alright! It's good to keep your eyes open and always be aware of your environment. I'm glad you could make a safe escape.

Hugs.

[Flybye]

Hey there! Just read your post and cringed. I was riding the greenbelt and had a man in a tree freak me out pretty bad. I found some mace at a running site called. It has an elastic band that is supposed to velcro around your wrist while you jog. I just stretched it around my handlebars and viola'. I have taken it out two times now when I was approaching men who creeped me out! I think it would also be helpful for crotchety old dogs.
It is just like anything else with women, we need to think ahead! Hope this helps!

[Python]

What a horrible, frightening experience

I was going to suggest you carry Mace too. In the UK Mace is illegal (unless you are a Police Officer). The best we can carry here is an alarm that emits a high pitched squeal which hurts the ears of the assailant but also your own ears too

Perhaps you could consider taking up the Martial Arts. I trained in Shotokan Karate for many years. I was also taught street self-defence. I have only used my Karate skills once and that was when I was a taxi driver and got set on by 5 men. I'm only 5'1" and very slimly built but knocked the cr*p out of two of them and the other three slunk away

The Martial Arts also keep you very fit and also very disciplined and it teaches you to keep your cool in a lot of situations